Osteoporosis strategic plan for the Middle East and North Africa region

Summary: The first step to achieve a world without fragility fractures is to devise a strategic plan to improve research and planning, and assisting member states to acquire the required financial, technical, and other resources. This article aims to outline the first strategic plan devised for the Middle East and North Africa region proposed by the International Osteoporosis Foundation’s (IOF) Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Regional Advisory Council (RAC). Purpose: Osteoporosis is no exception in this rising tide of non-communicable diseases, not only sharing common risk factors but also contributing substantially to a heavy social and economic burden on society. During the past decade and after the establishment of the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), a goal-directed movement has started to achieve a world without fragility fractures. In order to achieve this goal, regional councils were formed to maximize the effectiveness of national osteoporosis societies in raising awareness of effective prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies. Methods and results: The first step to achieve this goal is to devise a strategic plan to improve the research and planning, assisting all member states to acquire the financial, technical, and other resources needed in order to achieve a world-class program in the fight against osteoporosis. Conclusion: This article therefore aims to outline the first strategic plan devised by the IOF’s MENA RAC for the Middle East and North Africa region.